The Beauty of Paper

Charley @ Courage commented:  "This might seem pedantic, but what type of notebook do you use? I have two that I carry with me, and I'm wondering which kind you use and why you use it as opposed to another."

I'll tell you what Charley, I'll answer that question today here in my journal, complete with visuals and rambling blather. I need a distraction~~

I covet fine paper goods like a wine collector adores rare vintages. Notebooks fall under the paper good stipulations. If I'm going to take the time to place my words in something, by paper gods, it's going to be worthy.

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For me there are two writing categories in which my notebooks fall, but one prevailing condition, rule, doctrine and requirement is no lines~

I am of the NO LINES mentality. No lines, no lines, no damn jail cell lines mantra. Much like Joan Crawford famously screamed "NO wire hangers, in this house, EVER" I feel about as much passion about not allowing lines infiltrate my home. Of course, I feel about the same passion about no blue pens allowed as well, but I'll stay on subject here. The only exception made for paper with lines in this household is the girls required school work. Thats it, all other offending paper with lines is cut off at the front door.

First stage collections of writing: These are the notebooks I pack around like my baby blankets. My 100% preferred notebook is purchased at the Art Store. They are hard bound black, wire spine, and thick white blank paper inside. Ideal for creative doodling, sporadic thoughts and unfinished notions. I believe they are supposed to be sketch books. You can buy them in all sizes and I couldn't live without them. Best of all, no stifling, handcuffing, thought squishing lines :o)                         Observe visual exhibit #1

If I want to write little I can, if I want to write bigger, I can, if I want to write sideways, I can, there is no limitations in any of my notebooks. I don't do well with confinement, in any form, manner or shape of life..............lines on paper make me crazy!

I will mention one other notebook I utilize, but I don't love it as much as my art notebooks. I have a few Moleskin notebooks that serve a specific purpose, so I won't discount those, but the paper quality is questionable.

Second stage collections of writing: If I like something I've written, or believe it's worthy of a better tribute then muddled in with my doodles and eclectic writing, I will then transfer it into the permanent collection. At this stage of writing, nothing but a leather bound journal with handmade (blank) paper will appease me. Because I live in a little town that thinks rainbows, angel cherubs and bunny rabbits on a cardboard covered journal filled with cheap lined paper is an acceptable writing tool, I have to buy all my leather journals online or when I travel. I love the feel of the leather. I appreciate the touch and feel of the handmade paper and the way it 'take's" the ink from my special pens.

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I understand that my fascination with paper, pens, lines, leather, blank, quality, etc.....could seem a bit irrelevant, but give me a moment........ I once read this little quote, "The written word is the choicest of all relics." So if I regard my writings as a relic of myself, and I entertain the concept that it will remain long after I am gone, why not take the effort to place it in something nice.

All writing is a ritual. It's up to the individual to define how much enjoyment they will derive from the process. The above mentioned notebooks/journals give me the greatest pleasure during my writing rituals. I have no doubt, that pleasure is different from person to person. If someone like lines and blue pens, then thats all that matters, as long as it feels comfortable. ~~  I swear, I won't hold it against you either, my strange requirements stop with me! *grin*

~~I like to nudge myself to take one step beyond simple, beyond the normal and paint alittle extraordinary into everything I do~~

The Paper Goods (Top shelf, leather bound journals, second shelf~ all stationary *ok, I noticed one leather journal snuck on top of the stationary* ~third shelf, black notebooks and misc.)

Does anyone else put this much effort into their paper goods, writing, rituals?

Someone?

Anyone?

(crossing fingers)